Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet

Micromachines

Miao Xu²  Xiahui Wang²  Boya Jin²  Hongwen Ren¹ 

[1] BK Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team, Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Korea;

关键词: liquid droplet;    dielectric force;    optical switch;    attenuation ratio;   

DOI  :  10.3390/mi6020186

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

We report an infrared (IR) optical switch using a wedge-like cell. A glycerol droplet is placed in the cell and its surrounding is filled with silicone oil. The droplet has minimal surface area to volume (SA/V) ratio in the relaxing state. By applying a voltage, the generated dielectric force pulls the droplet to move toward the region with thinner cell gap. As a result, the droplet is deformed by the substrates, causing the SA/V of the droplet to increase. When the voltage is removed, the droplet can return to its original place in order to minimize the surface energy. Owing to the absorption of glycerol at 1.55 μm, the shifted droplet can be used to attenuate an IR beam with the advantage of polarization independent. Fluidic devices based on this operation mechanism have potential applications in optical fiber switches, IR shutter, and variable optical attenuations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.